Magnetic system to control the stop and leveling of llevators



A. S. GALE MAGNETIC SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE STOP AND LEVELING OF ELEVATORS Filed Dec. 21, 1925 Patented thug. it, llhfih.

T E S htthtlt entrant oer-ace.

ARTHUR S. GALE, F ZONKERS, NEW YURIIK.

.hpplicatlon filed December 21, 19%.

' My invention relates to elevators and more particularly to a magnetic system automatically to control the stop and leveling of an elevator.

in the control of elevators it is now common practice to employ mechanical means such as cams in the elevator hatchway to actuate a stopping switch such as is used in connection with an automatic push-botton.

n controlled elevator, and also to actuate directional switches such as are used to control the leveling operation of the car. Such mechanical means do not prove altogether satisitactory on account of noise which accompanies the engagement of the roller with the cam particularly with high speed elevators, and the impact has a tendency to throw the parts out of their refined state of adjustment. Hence one of the objects of 2c the present invention is to overcome these difficulties by providing coactingmeans on the car and in the elevator hatchway, brought into attractive relation at predetermined points in the path of travel of the can. and

thus actuate both a stopping switch and leveling switch mechanismmagnetically as contradistinguished from a mechanical agency such as a roller striking a hatchway cam, and in this manner objectionable noise and wear and tear is eliminated, and the parts will not need attention from time to time for the purpose of readjustment.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1, illustrates in a more or less diagrammatic manner, an electrical system of control embodying a magnetic system according to the present invention; Fig. 2, illustrates a view of a certain portion of Fig.1, taken on the line 2-2 and viewed in the direction of arrows.

In Fig. 1, a well known form of leveling mechanism is illustrated in which an ele-' vator car C is operated for service operation between floors by a main hoisting motor M, and for the leveling operation an auxiliary motor-:M is employed to move the car at a slow rate of speed through the intermediary of a worm and worm-wheel connection A,

an electro-magnetic clutch mechanism B con-' trollingthe connection between the auxiliary motor and a main drive shaft 1. A usual electro-mechanical brake B is provided to be associated withthe auxiliary hoisting apparatus. Reversi g S itches for the Serial No. meat.

main motor are designated ll, R, a starting resistance 2, an accelerating magnet automatically to control said resistance 3, reversingswitch relays S, S, and reversing switches for the auxiliary motor T, T. A car switch V is of a usual type having a contact segment lto co-act withlixed contacts 5 and 6, and being provided with an additional contact segment 4." to close-circuit contacts 8 and 9 with the car switch in centered position as shown.

Coming now to the parts which relate more particularly to the elements comprismg the present invention, they comprise a pair of switches designated E and F adapted to be actuated magnetically and having backcontacts 10 and 11 which control respectively the down and up stopping operation of the main hoisting motor and contacts 12 and 13,

which control respectively, the leveling operation of the car by the auxiliary motor, for down and up direction of car travel. Each switch comprises a magnetizing element or elcctro-magnet l4, and a series or magnetizable members 15 fixed to car guide rails 16 at predetermined points in the path of travel of the car, so that by movement of the car the magnetizing element and the magnetizable member are thereby brought into attractive relation to efl'ect actuation of the switch magnetically. The members 15 may be iron, one series effecting magnetic actuation of the switch E for down direction of car travel, and the other series effecting magnetic actuation of the switch F for up direction of car travel. lit is obvious that either the elcctro-magnet or the .magnetiz-' able member can be the one which is movable magnetically when the two. are brought into attractive relation so that such movement effects actuation of the switch. In the present construction the magnetic attraction between the electro magnet and the iron members, effects movement of the electro-magnet bodily, since a magnet core 17 is rigidly secured to the switch arm 18, said 100 arm being pivotally supported at 19 by a bracketi20, and'the associated switch mechanism together with the electro-magnet being secured preferably to a car guide shoe 21 by a bracket22. By supporting the electro-magnetwinding on the guide-shoe, the slight air-gap. between the core of the electro-magnet when m, att'ractedposition and its members 15, will not be changed due to shiftin movement of the car body since the gui e shoe is held against the guide rail by a spring 52. The switch mechanism F together with its e'lectro-magnet is supported by the guide-shoe 21?. The switch arm 18 when unattracted is actuated by a spring 23 to a normal position as shown to close the back-contacts.

Operation of the part through a complete cycle of operation will now be described: Assume now that the car switch is actuated in a clock-wise direction to engage the segment 4 with the contact to cause operation of the car in an ascending direction by the main hoisting motor M. A circuit is closed for the winding 24' of the, up relay as'follows, from plus wire 25, contact 26, segment 4 to contact 5, wire 27,, through winding 24 to wire 28, through back-contacts 11 and in series to 'minus line by way or wire 29. .The relay S will now operate to close its contacts and open back-contacts 3t. Contacts 30 close at this point a self-holding circuit for the windings 32 and 2% in series, which circuit may be traced as follows: from plus wire 33, through up reversing switch winding 32, wire 34, hack-contacts 35 on down relay S, wire 36, contacts 30, wire 3'? which forms a junction at 27, with the wire 27, thence through the up relay winding 2 and so on as heretofore traced to the minus line by way of the back-contacts ll and 10 of switches E and il The reversing switch R will now close to effect operation of the main hoisting motor to cause the car to ascend, and the clutch B will now be actuated to disconnect the auxiliary motor l /l' from the drive shaft I, lay energization of the electro-magnct 38. A circuit for said magnet may be traced as follows, from plus main to auxiliary contactor 52 by way or disk 53, wire 5%, through winding 38, to the minus main by way of a wire designated minus.

In this manner operation of the car switch initiates the start of the car, and it is desired to stop at the next adjacent landing, the car switch can be centered when the car has ascended sutliciently to move the electro-magnet it out of its attractive zone as determined by the length or the magnetizable iron member 15. llycentering the car switch a circuitis closed to energize both the down and up electro-magnets it by way of contacts 8 and 9 and segment 4' and the operation oft the car now being controlled by the switches E and F-will continue its movement automatically and the car in approaching the landing brings the up electro-rnagnet into attractive relation with themagnetizable member 15, so that the magnetic pull between the core of said magnet and said member 15 causes actuation of the switch arm 18', the magnet winding and core being movable bodily therewith to an attracted position with a slight air-gap, between the member 15 and the end'of the magnet core. In this manner the self-holding circuit for the reversing switch winding and the relay winding'is opened at the contacts 11 and the hoisting operation, is transferred automatically to the auxiliary motor M which is now controlled automatically to continue the operation of the car in an ascending direction under the control of the contacts 13 of the switch F. The contacts 13 control a circuit for the up reversing switch winding 39 as follows, from plus main, wire 40, through winding 39, wire 41, contacts 13, and thence by way of wires, 42 and 43 to the minus line. The reversing switch T will now close to effect operation of'the auxiliary motor toeffect operation of the car at a slow rate of speed in an ascending direction as controlled by the switch F, which is now held in actuated position magnetically. The switch T being closed, thereby completes an energizing circuit for the winding 44 of the brake B- said circuit being as follows, from-the plus main leading to switch T, to auxiliary contactor 1;) way of the disk 56 of switch T, wire 57, t rough winding 44, g]??? thence to the minus main by wire 58.

en the car is substantially level with the landing, the core of the magnet and the member 15 are by the movement of the car to such point, moved out of attractive relation, thereby permitting the spring 23 to actuate the switch-arm 18', together with the energized magnet, and in this manner discontinue the hoisting operation of the auxiliary motor and effect application of the brake B, tc

\bring the car to a state of rest, opening the circuit for the reversing switch. winding 39 at the contacts 13.

With the car switch in its centered pesition, the energizing circuit for the windings of the switches E and I? may he traced as follows, from the plus wire designated 45, contact 9, segment l, wire it, throughwinding 14 of switch l wire 47, through winding it of switch l1, and thence to the minus line by Way of the wire 48,

It the car in coming to a stop in ascendi ing, should overrun the landing, or should move upwardly during unloading, such movement of the car will move the elects-emagnet core of the switch E into attractive relation with the iron member 15 and in this manner effect actuation of the switch E magnetically, to close contacts 12 and in this manner close a circuit for the winding 49 of the down reversing switch T, thereby causing said reversing switch to close to effect operation of the auxiliary motor to bring the car back to a level with the landing at which point the core of switch E is out of attractive relation with the member 15 thereby permitting the spring .23 to open the contacts 12 nasal-ire and in this manner discontinue the hoisting operation by the auxiliary motor and etlect application at the brah'e B.

As illustrated in lFig. 2, the member is ofi set from the guide rail 16, and is secured thereto by a bracket 50, and the member 15 is slotted verticall as at 51, to permit adjustment ot the said member so that it will bear a non-attractive relation with the magnet core when the car is level with the landmg.

Having thus described theinvention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Lettcrs Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, an elevator car, magnetizing means, and a magnetizable member, said means and member being brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car, said means being in non-attractive relation when the car is substantially level with the landing.

2. ln combination, an elevator car, a hatchway, and an electro-magnetic device comprising a magnetizing element and a mag- .netizable element, one element on the car and the other element in the hatchway, so that movement of the car brings said elements into and out of attractive relation, the magnetizing element being noninfluencing when the car is substantially level with the landing.

3. In combination, an elevator car, magnetizing means, and magnetizable means brought into and out of attractive relation with said magnetizing means at predetermined points in the path of travel of the car, and a switch movable from'a normal position by such attractive relation and returned to said normal position mechanically.

4. In combination, an elevator car, an electro-magnet, means to closean energizing circuit for said electro-magnet, and means operable by movement of the car to be brought intoand out of attractive relation with the said electro-magnet at predetermined points of our travel, and a switch movable by such attractive relation and-returned to a normal position mechanically.

5. In combination, an elevator car, an neamam na, means to close an energizing circuit for said electro-magnet, and magnetizable means forming a zone which by movement of the car therethrough. brings said elcctro-magnet and magnetizable means into attractive relation and which, when the car is substantially level with a landing, brings said electro-magnet and magnctizable means out of attractive relation. and a switclrmovable from a normal position by such attractive relation and returned to said position mechanically.

6. In combination, an elevator car, a landing, magnetizable means forming a zone on either side of said landing, said zones being oil-set relatively to each other, and two electro-magnets each coon to one of the magnetizable zones and being movable by the car into and out of attractive relation with said magnetizable means. 79

'4'. In combination, an elevator car, a nber ot landings, two series of magnetizable members in od-set relation and forming zones on either side oi each landing, and two electro-magnets each common to one series of said magnetizable members, said electro-magnets and magnetizable members being brought into and out oi attractive relation by movement of the car.

8. la combination, an elevator car, a num ber of landings two series of magnetiaable members, in od-set relation and forming zones on either side of each landing, and two electro-magnets each common toone series of said magnetizable members, said electromagnets and magnetizable members being brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car, and men actuated magneticall by bringing said e ectro-magnets and magnetizable members in attractive relation.

9. ln combination, an elevator car, a hoisting motor,magnetizablemeans on either side of a predetermined stopping point, magnetizing means, which with the first named means is brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car, and switch mechanism actuated to cause the stop of said motor by movement of one of said means as soon as brought into said attractive role tion.

10. In combination, an elevator car, a hoisting motor, electro-maetic means, magnetizable means, the first and second named means being brought into attractive'relation by movement of the car, and circuit controlling mechanism to control said nlotor to level the car with a landing, actuated to circuit closing position by movement of one of the above named means as eflected by the no magnetic attraction between the two said means, and actuated mechanically to circuitopening position when the car is substantially level with a landing.

11. In combination, an elevator car, a main hoisting motor, an auxiliary hoisting motor, electro-magnetic means, magnetizable means, the first and second named means being brought into attractive relation by movement of the car, and circuit controlling mechanism to-control both of said motors, actuated by movement of the above named means as effected by the magnetic attraction between the two said means, to transfer the ill) hosting operation from the main hoisting motor to said auxiliary motor.

12. In combination, an elevator car, a main hoisting motor, an auxiliary hoistingmotor, two series of magnetizable members in oil'- set relation and forming zones on both sides of each landing, two electro-magnets each common to one series of said magnetizable members, said electro-magnets and magnetizable members being brought into attractive relation by circuit controllmg mechanism to control both of said motors actuated magnetically by bringing one of said electro-magnets into attractive relation with one of said magnetizable members, to transfer the hoisting operation from the main hoisting motor to the auxiliary hoisting motor whose hoisting operation is automatically discontinued when the car is substantially level with the landlng. r

13. In combination, an elevator car, a

hoisting motor, electro-responsive means, means m-the car to close an energizing circuit for said electro-responsive means at will, means tobe actuated by said electro-responsive means, and means operable by movement of the car to render the magnetic attraction of the ener ized electro-responsive means effective an ineffective to actuate the said, means to be actuated thereby, said last named means rendering said electro-responsive means ineffective when the car is substan-' tially level with a landing.

14. In combination, an elevator car, a hoistin motor, magnetlzmg means, a mag- 'netizab e member, said means and member being moved into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car, said means and member being out of attractive relation with the car substantial}; level with a landing and means controlle by said means and member to control said hoisting motor to level said car with a landing.

15. In combination, an elevator car, a hoisting motor, switch mechanism to control said motor, and means to actuate said switch mechanism comprisinga magnetizing member and a magnetizable member, one member on the car and the other in the hatchway so that both members are brought into and out of attractive relation by movement. of the car, said members being out of attractive relation when the ,car is substantially level with a landing. v

- 16. In combination, an elevator car, a hoisting motor, switch mechanism to control said motor, and means to actuate said switch 7 mechanism to control said motor to level the movement of the car, and

17. In combination, an elevator car, hoistswitch mechanism effective to open said motor circuit, part of said mechanism stationar and part movable in accordance with t e car. I

19. A control system for elevators comprising in combination, a hoistin motor, switch mechanism closable manually to initiate start of the motor, means to maintain said mechanism closed to continue operation of the motor independently of manual operation, and means to cause said maintaming means to operate to discontinue the operation of said motor comprising a switch mechanism having magnetizing and magn'etizable elements, certain of said elements being stationary and the other of said elements being movable in accordance with car movement.

20. A control system. for elevators comprising in combination, a hoisting motor, a reversing switch provided with a winding having a self-holdin circuit, normally closed contactors in sai self-holding circuit, and means to open said contactors having an energizing and a magnetizable element, said elements movable into and out of attractive relation by car movement, and effective when brought into attractive relation to open said contactors.

' 21. A control-system for elevators comprising in combination, a car, a hoisting motor, a plurality of landings, up and down reversing switches having windings and self-holding circuits therefor, contactors in the self-holding circuit of the up switch, contactors in the self-holding circuit of the down switch, and means to actuate to contactors having a magnetizing and magnetizable element. said elements brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

22. A. control system for elevators comprising, in combination, a hoisting motor having a circuit therefor maintained closed automatically, normally closed contactors and a circuit controlled thereby effective to open said maintained circuit, and means to open said normally closed contactors comprising a magnetizing element and a magnetizable element, said elements brought inle member,

iii

rea ers to and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

23. A control system for elevators comprising in combination, a hoisting motor, a Switch mechanism controllable manually to initiate car starts having a windin provided with a self holding circuit sai winding maintaining said switch mechanism closed independently of manual operation, contactors in said self-holding circuit, and means to actuate said contactors comprising magnetizing and magnetizable elements, said elements brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

24,. A control system for elevators comprising in combination, a hoisting motor, a circuit therefor closable manually, means operable independently of car position to maintain said circuit closed independently of manual operation, contactors and a circuit controlled thereby effective to open said motor circuit, and actuating means for said contactors having a magnetizablc and a magnetizing element brought into and out of attractive relation bycmovement of the car.

25. A control system for elevators, comprising in combination, a switch closable manually having a winding and a self-holding circuit to maintain said switch closed in ependently of manual operation, contactors in said self-holding circuit, and means to actuate said contactors comprising an electro-magnet and a member magnetizable thereby, said elements movable into and out of attractive relation in accordance with car position. V

26. A control system for elevators comprising in combination, a car start switch, a car stop switch, a reversing switch winding having a circuit responsive to said car start switch, a self-holding circuit for said winding, said stop switch being in said self-holding circuit, and actuating means for said sto switch having a magnetizing and magnet1zable member movable into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

27. A control system for elevators coniprisin in combination, a hoisting motor, a reversing switch having an operating winding, a switch controllable manually to energlze said winding, provided with a winding having a self-holding circuit, contactors in said self-holding circuit, and actuating means for said contactors comprising a magnetizing and magnetizable member movable into and out of attractive relation by car "movement.

28. A control system for elevators com- ,tion b netizing and a magnetizable member movable into and out of attractive relation by car movement.

29. A control system for elevators com-= prising'in combination, a hoisting motor, means to maintain a circuit therefor closed automatically comprising a switch having an operating winding, normally closed contactors in the circuit of said winding, and means to open said contactors comprising a magnetizing and a magnetizable element brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

30. A control system for elevators comprisin in combination, a hoisting motor, a reversing switch having a winding provided with a self-holding circuit, contactors in said circuit, and means to actuate said contactors comprising a magnetizable and a magnetizing element movable into and out of attractive relationv by car movement.

31. lln combination, an elevator car, a control circuit therefor, and an electro-responsive switch to control said circuit comprising a switch arm and electro-magnet integral with each other, and a member magnetizable by said electro-magnet, said magnet and member movable into and out of attractive relacar movement.

32. n combination, an elevator car, and a switch comprising a pivoted switch arm and an electro-magnet formed inte rally, and a member magnetizable by said e ectromagnet, said magnet and member brought into and out of attractive relation by car movement.

33. In combination, an elevator car, two

windings having cores magnetically inde-' pendent, and two magnetizable members',said windings and members movable into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car. i 1

34. In combination, an elevator car, two windings on the car having cores magnetically independent, a magnetizable member brought into attractive'relation with one of said windings-as the-car approaches a landing in travelling upwardly and being in non-attractive relation with the car substantially level with the landing, and a magnetizable element brought into attractive relation with the other of said windings as the car approaches said landing in travelling downwardly and being in non-attractive relation with the car substantially level with said landing.

35. A switch having normally closed contactors actuated by magnetizing and magnetizable elements brought into and out of attractive relation by car movement.

36. A switch having back-contactors actuated by a magnetizing and magnetizable element brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

37. A switch having back-contactors and till) till ill)

fill

top-contactors actuated by a magnetizing and magnetizable element brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car. i

38. A switch having two pair of contactors actuated by a magnetizing and mag netizable element brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

39. A switch having two' pair of contactors actuated bya magnetizing and magnetizable element brought into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car, one pair opened as the other pair is closed.

40. In combination, an elevator car, a hoisting motor, a closed circuit for the motor, and a switch having normally closed back-contactors effective to open said motor circuit, said contactors actuated by a magnetizing and magnetizable element, into and out of attractive relation.

41. In combination, an elevator car, hoisting motor mechanism for moving the car at different rates of speed and switch mechanism comprising contractors effective to cause automatic slow-down and additional switch mechanism to cause car stop, one of said switch mechanisms actuated by magnetizing and magnetizable members brought into and out of attractive relation by move-' ment of the car. Y

42. Control mechanism for elevator motors, comprising switch mechanism having automatic slow-down and stop control contactors, said contactors having actuating means consisting of magnetizing and magnetizable members brought into and'out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

43. An automatic stop control'switch for elevators comprising a switch arm' and winding mechanically connected, and another member to form a path for the magnetic lines of said magnet. said winding and member brought into and-out of attractive relationby movement of the car.

44. A control switch for elevators comprising a switch arm and winding the arm and winding movable as a unit, and a member to form a magnetic path for the magnetic lines of said magnet, said winding and magnet brought into and out of attractive relation b movement of the car.

45. leveling switch mechanism for elevators comprising two windings having cores magnetically independent, up and down contactors efi'ective to level the car with a landing. and means brought into and out o attractive relation with said windings. to v a path for the magnetic lines of said ings, said windings and means effec close said up or down contactors dependent on position of the car relatively to a la? 46. Leveling switch mechanism to torscomprising two windings, up and switch arms mechanically inde endent, the magnetic influence of said wine? gs only when attrac'ci sponsive means having magnetic lines thereofrendered effective and ineffective to actuate said arms by movement of the car.

'48. Leveling switch mechanism for elevators comprisin up and down switch armsmechanically independent, up and down operating windings for said arms, having cores magnetically independent, the mag netic influence of said windin s with respect to said arms being rendered effective and ineffective by movement of the car.

49. In combination, an elevator car, switch mechanism on the car effective to cause automatic slow-down and stop at all landings for movement of the car upwardly, switch mechanism on the car effective to cause automatic slowdown and stop at all landings for movement of the car downwardly, and actuating means for said mechanisms comprising magand I ing magnetizing and magnetizable elementsmovable into and out of attractive relation by movement of the car.

51. In combination, an elevator car, u car control contactors and down car contro contactors, and magnetizing an'dmagnetizable elements out of attractive relation with the car substantially level with the landing, movement of the car away from the landing in either direction bringing said elements into attractive relation to cause movement of one of said elements to close circuit either the up or down contactors.

52. A system of control for elevators, comprising a switch having a winding energizahle manually at will to predetermine the stop of the car, a hoisting motor, means to control the motor to continue it inoperation automatically, said means rendered.- efi'ective by manual operation, said switch efiective to control said motor to discontinue its hoisting operation, and means controllable in accordance car position to form a path for the magnetic lines of so s when energized is effectiv t o actuate such switch with said ve relation means.

53. A system of comprising a switch means effective to open said switch compris- 1ng an electro-responsive device part on the car and part in the hoistway.

54. A system of control for elevators, comprising in combination the car, motive means, control means comprising contactors effective to cause stop of the motive means but ineffective to cause start thereof, and actuating means for'said contactors having a winding energizable to predetermine car stopl and means controllable in accordance wit car position to form magnetic lines of said winding so that the latter when energized is effective to actuate said contactors only when in attractive relation with said means.

55. A system of control for elevators, comprising-in combination, a car, motive means, control means com rising a manually controllable switch effective to start movement of the car away from a landing, means to maintain movement of the car away from said landing independently of manual operation, and stop contactors for the motive means actuable as the car apa path for theproaches a stopping point, and means to actuate said contactors comprising an electro-magnet and magnetizable member brought into and in accordance with car position.-

56. A system of control for elevators, comprising in combination, a car, motive means to move said car at different rates of speed, control means consisting of a car start switch, contactors to effect automatic slow-down, additional contactors to effect automatic stop, and actuating means for said contactors comprising electro-respon sive means part on the car and part in the hoistway brought into and out of attractive relation by car movement.

57. A control system for elevators comprising in combination, a hoisting motor, a switch mechanism having a winding energizable manually, said winding having a self-holding circuit, and means effective to open said self-holding circuit comprising an electro-responsive switch-part stationary and part movable in accordance with car movement.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ARTHUR S. GALE.

out of attractive relation 

